The View From Penthouse B

Lipman's new book borrows a number of cliches, but mixes them up so the whole is well more than the parts. We do have the requisite penthouse in a fabulous Art Deco building. And the sister who live there are quite broke. Margo, the elder, was not only a victim of he who must not be named (Bernie Madoff), but was married to a OBGYN who did his own insemination of patients. This is why she is convinced the entire populace has fallen into poverty. Gwen, the younger sister, is widowed and decides to open a dating service that specifies chastity. And they have a gay lodger, Anthony, who is handsome, sweet and makes great cupcakes. THere is another sister, Betsy, who know everything and will share the knowledge.Actually those elements sounded good last night when lightening strikes took out cable and I didnt feel at all literary. This is not classic literature, but it is entertaining. The unlikely elements that bind these people, and the plot, together do raise this book above a fluff piece. For example, Gwen's first customer turns out to be a vice cop. SHe had run her ad in the personal services. The sisters are quite late to the realization that Anthony is gay, but Margo is very relieved since she has given up on men. These incidents are written with wit and candor. Lipman addresses topics that can become flat rather quickly with aplomb and a lightness of touch. Everyone complains, but little whining or bitterness. And the complaints are not reported in deadening length.I would give the book 3.5 stars if we had that option. But I do like this book, and I would recommend it for a light mood.

Margot and Gwen-Laura are sisters who have both lost their husbands, in a fashion, and are living together in Margot's ritzy apartment. Gwen's husband, Edwin, died suddenly of a heart defect, and she is reluctant to rejoin the world of dating. Margot's husband, Charles, is a gynecologist currently serving time for being a personal sperm donor for his patients. Margot is also broke, thanks to Bernie Madoff, but she still has the penthouse, home not only to her and her sister, but also to a delightful gay young man, Anthony, who has a knack for making cupcakes and multi-tasking. When Margot's husband is paroled and moves into the same building, reconciliation must be afoot, even though he's anxious to have a rapport with the son produced by one of his office liaisons. Gwen, the narrator, is everyone's project, as they poke and prod her to get on with her life. If there's a message here, it's subtle, and I prefer to take this type of novel at face value--just good, clean fun. No one is completely distasteful, and no one is perfect, either--except perhaps Anthony. I guess there are two big questions: Should Margot forgive her husband for multiple acts of adultery, and can Gwen find love without feeling traitorous toward Edwin? These are serious issues but treated with a light touch here, and I don't object to that at all. Sometimes the best lessons don't have to be pounded into you with a lot of angst and hand-wringing.

Elinor Lipman is an acquired taste. Her books always feature quirky, offbeat people, who find them selves in situations antithetical to their nature. So, they have to cope. Coping is the main feature of a Lipman novel . However, the coping is always funny. Lipman's sense of humor- while pointed- is never cruel. You always like and sympathize with her characters. After all- just like you- they are trying to get by.The View from Penthouse B features 2 very different sisters forced by circumstance to live together in a penthouse apartment in New York. The place is rich but they are poor. They are soon joined by an unemployed, gay cupcake maker. As in all Lipman novels, they create an unlikely family. The little family faces all sorts of unique but funny challenges. The older sister's philandering-ex (fresh from prison) moves in down stairs. The middle sister (there is a third off stage) decides to end her prolonged widowhood and 'put herself out there.'People and situations come and go, in a New York minute. But all's well that ends well, and in Lipman novels- it usually ends with all coping well. If you want to laugh and have a nice quirky ride, the View From Penthouse B will leave you feeling that you can 'make it after all.'

The characters, and I do mean characters in this story make it something that you want to pick up and finish. It would make a good beach read. It is not particularly deep, but it has some plunging moments. The author is politically correct which I like. She knows how to craft a good story. Two sisters living in almost abject poverty in the penthouse. They take in a boarder, who lives in the broom closet in their kitchen. Since he is gay, he does all the cooking (you get it, don't you - gay=cooking), and they just love him because he can stretch out their food budget. His sister moves in and lives on the couch for a little while. One of the sisters' husband is released from jail and comes to visit and they learn that he has taken an apartment in the bottom floor of the apartment building. He is hated since he has stolen all the money and that is why they are penniless. Complicated, but kind of darling.

I've been a big fan of Elinor Lipman for a number of years. I had read this book early this summer and then bought a copy as a birthday gift for my best friend. She loved it and said that, although it was the first Lipman book she had read, it would not be the last. For both of us, the story rang true because of our age...and it gave each of us a warm and hilarious momentary respite during this very difficult year.

I've loved every book by Elinor Lipman ever since The Inn at Lake Devine, back in the day. And this is no exception. As always, it's generously sprinkled with Ms Lipman's sharp wit, warm-hearted humour and wisdom. The plot is delicious.Narrator Gwen-Laura has recently been widowed (well, actually her husband died two years ago - but to her it's recent) and she's been invited to live with older sister Margot at her retro-stylish New York penthouse. Margot is, in fact, broke. Having received a substantial alimony payment from her ex-husband (currently residing in jail for a crime that's a bit too complicated to go into), she invested - and lost - the whole lot in Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme. The two sisters are struggling to make ends meet. Perhaps they should take in another flat-mate to share the costs? Enter young Anthony, gay, funny, kind - and online-dating-savvy. Not only does he guide Gwen and Margo around Craigslist in an effort to improve their romantic status, but he also makes fabulous cupcakes....Read it, you'll love it.

This just bleeds old New York. A good read.